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Kiss Me Hello
Proving there's room for more than one Mr. Knightley in literature's pantheon of commonsensical-but-romantic heroes, Grace Burrowes uses her remarkable storytelling abilities in this, the third novel of The Sweetest Kisses series
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Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge comes a poignant new novel that asks the question, “What would you do if you were told you had only six months to live?” For one professional matchmaker the answer is heart-wrenching: She must find her husband’s next wife.

Camille Hart, one of Manhattan’s most sought-after matchmakers, has survived more than her fair share of hardships. Her mother died when she was a young girl, leaving her and her sister with an absentee father. Now in her forties, she has already survived cancer once, though the battle revealed just how ill-equipped her husband Edward is to be a single parent. So when doctors tell Camille that her cancer is back—and this time it’s terminal—she decides to put her matchmaking expertise to the test for one final job. Seeking stability for her children and happiness for her husband, Camille sets out to find the perfect woman to replace her when she’s gone.

But what happens when a dying wish becomes a case of “be careful what you wish for”? For Edward and Camille, the stunning conclusion arrives with one last twist of fate that no one saw coming.

At once deeply felt and witty, The Replacement Wife is an unforgettable story of love and family, and a refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings.

From New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge comes a poignant new novel that asks the question, “What would you do if you were told you had only six months to live?” For one professional matchmaker the answer is heart-wrenching: She must find her husband’s next wife.

Camille Hart, one of Manhattan’s most sought-after matchmakers, has survived more than her fair share of hardships. Her mother died when she was a young girl, leaving her and her sister with an absentee father. Now in her forties, she has already survived cancer once, though the battle revealed just how ill-equipped her husband Edward is to be a single parent. So when doctors tell Camille that her cancer is back—and this time it’s terminal—she decides to put her matchmaking expertise to the test for one final job. Seeking stability for her children and happiness for her husband, Camille sets out to find the perfect woman to replace her when she’s gone.

But what happens when a dying wish becomes a case of “be careful what you wish for”? For Edward and Camille, the stunning conclusion arrives with one last twist of fate that no one saw coming.

At once deeply felt and witty, The Replacement Wife is an unforgettable story of love and family, and a refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings.

I liked the description of the book's plot, and listened to it on CD, fortunately from the library. If I had purchased this book I would feel very regretful. Plowing through the depth of extraneous detail about peripheral characters and events that had absolutely nothing to do with the story was frustrating and annoying, and slowed the narrative down to a crawl. There is a difference between giving a reader bits of detail to enrich the story and nattering on about every possible person, place and action within the main character's field of vision. For heaven's sake, I had composition and creative writing teachers in college who would have torn apart the writing of this story. Where were the editors of this book? What were they thinking?

However I did care enough about the main characters to persist in listening to it unfold. Spoiler Alert: I'm talking about how it ends so stop here if you don't want to know. The heroine is a matchmaker and wants to find her George-Clooney-gorgeous, doctor-husband his potential next wife for his sake and their kids...someone to be waiting in the wings. He's upset but goes along with meeting her candidates, just to please her. But then he finds someone on his own, falls "in love", and unable to wait for his frail wife to drop dead, has a lusty sexual affair with the other woman, a character I wanted to like, but her behavior was as ugly as his was. The wife's terminal illness is miraculously reversed by a new drug, the affair comes to light, they try to save the marriage, but he ends up marrying the other woman. How sweet and cozy!! What a happy ending!! Just what we would want to happen. Actually by that time I didn't much care what happened and was just glad it was over. This story idea had potential, which was mostly squandered by poor plot and narrative choices, in my opinion.

This was a long and incredibly emotional read. I'll preface this review by saying that you'll need to make sure that you have a box of tissues at the ready while reading and someone to hug when you've come to the conclusion...because you will need a hug.

Camille's character captures one's heart from the first few chapters...and how could she not. She's a matchmaker...and not just as a means to live by...but because she genuinely wants to help people find love and companionship. She has what appears to be the perfect family: two great kids and a stalwart husband who has stood by her literally "in sickness and in health" and who she loves so much that when the dreaded happens (her cancer returns) she worries not about herself and her future but for those of her husband Edward and her children.

I can't say that I agreed with much of Camille's logic, but I definitely felt her pain and understood her motives. Certainly a lot more than I could understand those of her counterpart Edward. (But much as I want to I won't say too much on that count..I hate spoilers) Suffice it to say that there were as many moments in this book that I wanted to yell at and strangle characters as there were moments where I couldn't read through the tears. And there were many such moments. Perhaps that is the greatest compliment that one can give an author....the experience of such a range of emotions all within one volume...at times all brought out by one character.

I will say that I feel that this book is a pretty good example of human nature. Of the lengths that we will go to secure the happiness of our loved ones as well as the lengths that we will go at times to escape their sadness as well...regardless of the costs. I actually don't agree with the synopsis that this is a "refreshing look at the unexpected paths that lead us to our own happy endings", but it certainly does show the multitude of paths that we can take as individuals and as part of a family and the variety of consequences/results to which those paths may lead us. Some of them happy, some of them not so happy, some that can be rebuilt into something meaningful and wondrous...and others that can't. But ultimately, no matter the path, no matter the destination...we can survive.

This book broke my heart...and I think that you should all give it the chance to impact upon you as well.

(I actually could not decide if this should be a four or a five star book. My range of emotions was so extreme. If I had 4.5 Timepieces I would have used that)

Note: I recieved a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.Read more ›

What would you do if you had terminal cancer, and you didn't want your family to fall apart after you're gone? Would you try and find your husband / wife a replacement spouse, and your children a new mother? What if your "arrangement" worked out, but a miracle occurred and you are in remission, will you be able to deal with the ramifications of what you brought into your marriage?

Forty-two year old Camille Harte, is a successful Manhattan matchmaker, mother of two and happily married for twenty years to the love of her life. After a tough year of fighting for her life, her cancer was in remission and life resumed until the latest PET scan revealed that the cancer was back and had spread, and that this time it was terminal. With possibly only six to nine months left to live, Camille planned to find her husband and children a replacement wife, so that her family would not fall apart after she was gone. Her husband, Dr. Edward Constantine, was not a willing participant at first, but finally agreed to humor her, while holding out hope that she still had a chance to beat the cancer once again. The arrangement creates many changes within their marriage, and ultimately has life changing ramifications ... like the old saying goes ... "be careful what you wish for"...

The Replacement Wife is a hauntingly beautiful story that will pull at your heartstrings. The storyline is well written and incredibly powerful and compelling. The plot is intriguing and thought provoking, it leaves the reader pondering what they would do if they were in Camille and Edward's position. It begs the reader to consider if they would go to such lengths that Camille did to ensure that her family would remain intact; would your dying wishes supersede that of your family; and would you be able to handle the ramifications of your choices and decisions. The characters are realistic and engaging, their complexities and interactions with each other make the story that much more captivating. The attention to detail is outstanding, the palpable emotions and heartbreaking reactions will have you clutching the box of tissues, you can't help but be pulled emotionally into Camille and Edward's story. The Replacement Wife is a unique story that takes a look into a couple's marriage and how they handle various issues within their relationship: illness, family choices, decisions made, paths taken, and ultimately the ramifications that affect their marriage and family.

I haven't read a story that completely wore out my emotions in a long time, and The Replacement Wife did just that. This story engages you from the beginning pages, and captivates you as you go along on the emotional roller coaster ride that is Camille and Edward's story. This novel will make you smile, laugh, scream , and break your heart. It will make you grateful and count the blessings that you have in your life, reminding you to never take anything for granted.

I highly recommend that both men and women should read The Replacement Wife, it could change the way you value your own relationships.

Disclaimer: I received a Kindle edition of this novel from Open Road Media and NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest review.Read more ›

More About the Author

I was born on the Fourth of July, and it's been fireworks ever since. I began writing at age eight, with short stories and poems, and I haven't looked back since. From the early days of mostly collecting rejection slips, I went on to publish thirty-two novels for young adults, thirteen (and still counting) of women's fiction, as well as numerous short stories and magazine articles, and one cookbook.

I've since gone on to write many more novels. My most recent novel, BONES AND ROSES, is my first mystery novel and the first in my new Cypress Bay Mystery series. Please visit me on my on my website at www.eileengoudge.com to learn more about the book.